Driving gloves became popular in the late 60s when automobiles first appeared. They were mostly worn to keep the hands of the driver from getting dirt because the car was exposed to many elements. They are still being used currently, especially winter driving gloves. Recent improvements made on cars such as non-slip steering wheels and heaters have to lead to a decline in the use of driving gloves.

Classical looks are, however, being incorporated into current fashion trends and this has seen more people shopping for driving gloves. Below is a list of the 10 best driving gloves in 2018.

These warm pair of men’s gloves are made of high-quality Nappa leather which makes them durable. The materials are combined to make them soft and comfortable on the inside. They are available in various colors and sizes for maximum customer satisfaction at a price of $24.

Pros

The touchscreen function makes it easy to operate smartphones and tablets with the gloves on.

Cons

Some customers have complained that the gloves are not warm enough, owing to the faux fur lining. Extensive use of the gloves wears out the touchscreen function whereas some pairs lack function on some fingers. Only the edges of the gloves are lined with cashmere lining.

Riparo is a reputable company which has dealt in driving wear for years. The Riparo driving gloves are made from pure leather. They are thin and give the driver a natural look, and the lack of a lining provides a good grip on the steering wheel. The gloves which come in black and various shades of brown are available on Amazon.com at $39.97.

Pros

These gloves can be worn in any season as the perforations offer ventilation thus preventing sweating. The gloves are fitted with a wrist strap which can be used to give the gloves a tight and comfortable fit on your hands. Genuine leather is used to manufacture the gloves making them durable.

Cons

Some unfortunate customers have received unsymmetrical gloves where one is bigger than the other, or the seaming is different. Also, the color is a deep orange, unlike the product description.

This pair of gloves is made from deerskin leather with cashmere lining. They are made using high-quality materials to protect your hands during harsh winter conditions. The gloves have a comfortable feel and give a firm grip on the steering wheel. A pair of these winter gloves goes for $29.99.

Pros

The gloves keep your hands warm, and their light nature allows for flexibility. The product is well-made and can be used for an extended period with some people have used them for over 20 years. Elma size is accurate, and they have great options for men with small glove size.

Cons

The stitching is on the outside which makes it prone to damage. The small sizing is somewhat a problem for people with long fingers.

These gloves are made from genuine Italian leather. The hand-stitched product offers great comfort during driving and can also be worn as regular gloves. The classy design and high-quality leather give the gloves a stylish casual edge. The wear-resistant gloves are now available at a reduced price of $29.99 on Amazon.com

Pros

The gloves are gift packed which makes them a great choice for a gift. They have a comfortable feel from when they are taken out of the pack. Intelligent touch screen technology is integrated into the leather; eliminating the need to remove the gloves while operating personal devices such as tablets. 100% refund or replacement is assured if the gloves are not satisfactory.

Cons

The gloves which are either black or brown will most probably have a bad smell upon delivery. This can be fixed by airing them. There have been complaints that the gloves are made using low-quality which smells like plastic. The product description says the gloves are blended with cashmere, but the lining is polyester. The absence of ventilation holes makes it unbearable to wear these during summer.

Interstate offers full and fingerless gloves with a decent appearance. The gloves are made from pure leather, and the inside has double padding for comfort. The wrist is secured with a Velcro strap, and the finger has perforations for air circulation. On Amazon, you can acquire the gloves for $15.

Pros

The gloves are ideal for working and driving. That’s pretty much it!

Cons

The gloves have a very strong chemical smell when they’re new which takes long before it clears off. You can feel the seams on the inside as there is no lining. Though this is initially uncomfortable, they soften over time.

These are gloves intended for people who love driving. For $14.99, the gloves are not made of genuine leather, but high-quality PU leather. They have a snug and comfortable fit and have a Velcro strap. The gloves are durable and allow flexibility of the hands. They offer more than one would expect for such a low price.

Pros

The gloves are cheap and have great traction on the steering wheel. The knuckles are cut out to improve the experience. Offer your hands maximum protection from the hot wheel during summer.

Cons

They are stiff and turn your hands black when used the first time. There are some Shaf International gloves which are too bulky while others have a small fit delivered.

These unisex gloves are among the best driving gloves available in 2017. The wool lycra fabric gives the gloves an elegant design as well as unbelievably comfort while driving. The elastic wrist band does not expand or fall off. The tips of the thumb and forefinger are covered with shock, which makes this product touch screen sensitive. The price of these gloves ranges from $10-$20.

Pros.

The gloves can be worn during driving or other outdoor activities such as sporting. They are thin allowing them to fit inside pockets as they drop the bulk aspect. The warning signs on the outside of the gloves can increase safety while driving at night.

Cons

They are not suitable for the extremely cold weather, and the touch capability may fail to read if the touch area is not directly touched. The rubber lining can cause too much grip when turning the steering wheel.

These gloves have a button with the BMW Roundellogo to provide a snug. The soft and thin leather allows you to feel anything under the gloves. These BMW gloves provide a hard grip on the wheel, therefore, eliminates slipping. Currently, the gloves are only available in one color, black, for a value of $35.

Pros

The inside of the gloves is unlined for the provision of a firm grip. Perforations and knuckle cut out make it comfortable to wear the gloves while driving for long distances.

Cons

It is difficult to text or makes any other interaction with a touch screen with the gloves on.

You had to know these would top the list! These gloves are like no other, both in appearance and functionality. They easily slide on and adapts the natural curve of the hand. The gloves have relief pads strategically placed on the surface of your hand. This displaced the pressure and supported a lighter grip. They are made from Cabretta leather which offers maximum comfort. The price for these gloves ranges from $35 to $55.

Pros

The gloves stretch to accommodate various sizes of hands. Vents and ventilation ducts and the patented design offer flexibility and comfort required for long drives.

Cons

The gloves are not suitable for keeping our hands warm. If not properly handled, the stitching may come off.

Best Driving Gloves Buying Guide

Driving gloves? Are they necessary?

Driving gloves should be an integral part of your driving kits and accessories as proved by the benefits outlined below:
• When driving in a warm weather condition, your palm can get sweaty, and this can make the steering wheel slick. Driving gloves will maintain your firm grip on the steering wheel in such a situation.
• The gloves can increase friction when you hold the steering wheel and shifter, irrespective of hand moisture level or weather condition.
• In the event of an auto crash, wearing driving gloves can increase your chance of safety
• It can equally keep your hands warm when driving in a colder weather condition.
• The gloves increase your grip when driving vintage cars with skinny or thin steering wheels.
• Wearing driving gloves will give you more control over the car and make you feel in-charge. Consequently, sensitivity transmission between your palms and the steering wheel will be enhanced.
• It prevents hand fatigue consequent of gripping the steering wheel for a long stretch
• Driving gloves maintain the steering wheel and increase its lifespan; the wheels can get damaged faster when frequently handled with sweaty palms.
• Finally, wearing driving gloves gives you hints on how your front wheels are faring and about their overall grip levels.
• Don’t also forget that you will look more professional when you wear driving gloves while driving. Yeah, it will look cool on you.

Types of driving gloves

Several types of driving gloves are on sale today. While some driving gloves are made for fashion purpose, some other ones are made to protect your palms from calluses or cold; the second class of driving gloves can equally increase your grip on the steering wheel in all weather conditions. Driving gloves are classified according to their styling as shown below:

• Unlined Driving Gloves: It maintains sensitivity between the driver’s fingers and the steering wheel, thereby increasing awareness and improving control• Lined Driving Gloves: It is designed to be worn in a cold weather condition since it keeps the driver’s hands warm consequent of the extra thickness provided by the lining. The lining in them improves insulation to the cold exterior of the car.• Full-Fingered Driving Gloves: They are designed to accommodate the fingers individually. Make sure you select the right size when buying this type; ensure the finger length is not too short or too long. The fingers can become cold while driving if the gloves are too short. Furthermore, blood- flow to the hands and fingers can be restricted if the glove is too tight.• Fingerless Driving Gloves: The finger region is cut off in this type, leaving the fingers exposed when worn. This type improves grip sensation when you hold the steering wheel.

Features to consider

Check below for features to consider in a pair of driving gloves before you buy.
• Driving gloves made of leather are better since they offer assured protection for your hands. The leather should be soft and grippy. The seams on the outside should also be soft.
• You should stick to gloves that feature non-velcro adjustable snap button since Velcro can come off.
• Most driving gloves come with knuckle holes, but you are better off with those without knuckle holes; experience has shown that the knuckle holes rarely align with your knuckles when such driving gloves are worn, bringing about discomfort; the awkward knuckle holes can equally chafe your skin.
• Color choice depends on you, but you can go for driving gloves bearing similar color to that of your car painting.
• Thick driving gloves can improve your grip on the steering wheel; they also keep the hands warm effectively in cold weather.

Features to consider when buying a pair of racing gloves

Racing gloves are similar to the ordinary driving gloves. However, some unique features must be considered when buying these racing gloves.
• The racing gloves should protect your hands from debris and fire in case of an auto crash
• They should improve your grip on the steering wheel and also keep your hands comfortable.
• They should fit perfectly and snugly when worn; never buy a loose pair of gloves since it can cause discomfort, which can negatively affect racing performance.
• When buying, avoid those gloves that brush against the pressure points on your fingers, wrists, and palms; pressure on those areas can cause discomfort, which can distract you while racing. Conclusively, buy a pair of driving gloves that provide a firm grip, adequate sensitivity to the steering wheel and full protection.

What the best driving gloves have?

The best driving glove depends on individual needs and circumstances
• It should be made of leather since leather keeps the hands warm, improves grip on the steering wheel and prevents the sweat on the palm from interfering with driving experience.
• The gloves should protect your hands and palms without reducing palm sensitivity to the steering wheel
• If you are driving a car with a skinny or thin steering wheel, like a vintage car, a pair of lined driving gloves is the best for you since it increases the thickness of the wheel.
• The unlined type may be perfect for someone handling a thick steering wheel on a warm summer afternoon.
• The gloves should be lightweight for easy handling.

Factors to consider before buying

Before placing your hard earned money on that pair of gloves, consider the factors below• Top quality brand: Not all brands are right for you. Stick to those brands that have proven quality. Top quality brands can give you good value for money; such brands can last for long without giving you any problem.• Read reviews: Read online reviews about the pair of driving gloves before you buy. Reviews provided by past buyers can give you an idea of what to expect from the pair of gloves. You can ask other drivers using driving gloves for guidance on which brand to buy; it will save you time and effort.• Choose the right sales outlet: Not all outlets can be trusted for original, top quality driving gloves. Buy only from reliable outlets to avoid buying an imitation. A very good example of a reliable outlet for top quality, original driving gloves is Amazon.• Quality above low price: You do not have to spend an arm and a leg to buy a top quality pair of driving gloves. Be that as it may, you should not place low price above high quality when buying the driving gloves; do not forget that low price does not always translate to a good or favorable deal.